Church Street Editorial

June 29, 2009

None Too Few Pews

As I was reading the Sunday papers, it occurred to me that I keep coming across articles citing one or another Pew center/project/partnership/survey. I did “the Google” for Pew and it’s really stunning how many different iterations of Pew turned up — from the Pew Global Attitudes Project to the Pew Partnership for Civic Change to the Pew Hispanic Center to the Pew Research Center for People and the Press. 

I guess they’re all funded, at least in part, by the Pew Charitable Trusts, based in Philadelphia with an office here in Washington, D.C. According to the Pew history, the family’s money comes mainly from oil, but the focus areas of the foundation now are civics, culture, good government, the environment, and other areas. I guess it’s not really a problem for a foundation to support these niche areas — as a policy reporter, it always helps to turn to reliable sources working in specific areas full time — but I get nervous when I see the same sources popping up all the time because I think it can lead to less diversity of thought and opinion. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid coming back to the same organizations for comment, particularly if a group is working in so many areas as Pew, but oftentimes talking to one or two other expert sources can result in a better article.

June 26, 2009

Busy News Week

To state the obvious, it’s been a “breaking news” type of week. Here in D.C., the Washington Post  is still reporting on the cause of Monday’s terrible Metro train crash that killed nine people, but other events have pushed it below the fold. Iranians continued to protest amid a reported government clamp down. Midweek got plainly weird and sent political types atwitter with expectation before a rogue governor’s press conference and into speculative overdrive after. Today brought news of two tragic deaths: of an iconic pop star and of an iconic pinup. What did I miss? Oh, yes, Ed McMahon died. And you can’t strip search students.

As sobering as all this is, it’s worth noting some other events still unfolding on the policy front this week. The House is, as I post this, on the floor debating H.R.2454, the  American Clean Energy & Security Act,  a measure designed to reduce global warming. A close vote is expected today. It will be interesting to see if this drives action in the Senate or causes that August body to drop the issue just to spite the House.

On the health care front, also via WaPO, the Senate Finance committee has apparently made some progress on its side of the bill. There’s plenty of time for that to fall apart. Meanwhile, watch a video archive of today’s National Institute For Health Care Management forum on the issue.

And, German Chancellor popped by the White House for a visit. My guess is the Obamas will still be serving hot dogs, not German sausage, on the Fourth. (I know there are disagreements, but does she always have to look so dour? Just sayin.)

Science Friday: Whales Caught Stealing

Or taking what should have been theirs to begin with, depending on your perspective.

If you can’t see the video, watch it here. 

Support Science Friday.

Michael Jackson Videos

Jackson 5, “I want you back”:

And, Michael Jackson’s classic, for this 80s child, “Thriller”:

June 25, 2009

Health Care: NPR Turns the Camera Around

NPR photographs the audience at a recent Senate health care hearing and wants to know the names of the stakeholders — including lobbyists — in the room. (Tip of the Hat, TPM.)